Building small Otterbox back-up kit

A

AlexSchira

Joined
May 12, 2007
Messages
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Picked up a small '1020' model Otterbox with a clear top and a black liner at Gander Mountain today, decided to use it to expand the Altoids tin concept to something more substantial for a pack or car. At the very least I'm putting in a stock Doug Ritter kit, but here's what else I have to work with for inside the rather spacious lid-area of the box. Narrowing down what would work for a general back-up kit to existing gear. This isn't a dedicated emergency kit despite the Ritter kit, more of a 'If everything else breaks' waterproof box of gear. Here's what I have on hand, or may purchase for this kit.

Things I have that fit, not all at once but can feasibly go in:
Doug Ritter Survival Pak in waterproof bag. Quite a nice kit, can stand alone as a survival kit without these extras
Petzil E+Lite without belt case
Boker Subcom
Photon Freedom with neck holster
Clip for Freedom
Spyderco Jester
Mini Bic with o-ring on trigger
Various SAKs, can fit a Tinker/Spartan with some space left for another layer
P-38, going in no matter what
Can weave a paracord larnyard to replace the stock one
Leatherman Micra
Suunto Micro Clipper compass, with/without band
Length of dog tag bead-chain
Those small spy capsules from EDCdepot, good for everything
Tiny prybar

Things I may end up getting:
Pak-Lite of some sort, a 9V fits fine as is
Some kind of Stayglow SAK
Water purification tablets
Some kind of tritium piece
Spare coin batteries for the lights
A PR-socket LED to turn a junk-light into a somewhat usable one

This is a secondary back-up to my primary gear such as blades, lights, basic survival essentials, fire, with room for some copies of must-haves that make things a lot easier. Right now I have to narrow down my existing options and then look into buying new ones. will provide pictures of semi-finished product eventually.
 
I would add a firesteel and fire straws. Those are unbeatable for starting a fire. Just my thoughts.
 
Boker Subcom
Spyderco Jester
Various SAKs, can fit a Tinker/Spartan
P-38, going in no matter what
Leatherman Micra
Click to expand...

Assuming SAKs means only 2 (and not more), 5 knives? I know this is a knife forum (and potentially blasphemous to some of you)... but that's a waste of space. Lose at least three, maybe 4. You'd be better off using the space for cordage, more tinder/firestarting capability, aluminum foil, trashbag, space blanket, condum, water tabs, small first aid, duct tape, whistle, mirror, etc. I'm sure others will suggest adding fishing equipment.

The Hoods Woods page is the tops for this IMO.
 
I meant various different models will fit, the Tinker/Spartan being the largest I have, and that those knives were small enough to fit in but all at once. Sorry for the confusion, not stacking in an army of knives as fun as that would be. More just narrowing down what kind to put in.

I'm looking into a tritium vial for the easy spotting through the clear top, not familiar with the different types so I stayed vague.

The Photon Freedom comes with a tiny gator clip that allows you to clip it to a strap, hat, or headband for an instant headlamp. Also features magnets for positioning on cars and other gear.
 
The Photon Freedom comes with a tiny gator clip that allows you to clip it to a strap, hat, or headband for an instant headlamp. Also features magnets for positioning on cars and other gear.
Click to expand...

Sounds cool. Gotta find a few of these.
 
Give it another month or two...They're upgrading the LEDs to something double the brightness. The current ones are already 2X the original, so wait a bit and you'll be even more pleased. The right sites sell them for 9.99, others the teens up to twenty.
 
And what will you use to sharpen all those knives in your kit?? I'd consider a little carbide pocket sharpener. Lansky makes a good one that I keep in my kit.
 
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